Year || 503 Season || Winter Temp || -10℉ (-23℃) to 55℉ (12℃) Weather || Winter has left a blanket of pristine white snow in many parts of Novus. Only Solterra remains mostly untouched by the season's frosted hold, but even the desert may feel a cold breath of wind now and then. With Winter now settled across the continent, dreams of Spring dance in the minds of many.

Everything is quiet. The skies have cleared, the ash sinking into the sea, the sea turtles and crabs returning to their watery homes. Only the waves stir, lapping at the beach in a peaceful, subdued way, calling you forth - calling you to explore the bridge of hardened lava that extends like a jagged blade into the unknown.

Towering above the heart of Novus is the distinctive summit of Veneror Peak. Here, the air is thin and the rocky paths are unstable at best, but for those willing and able to brave the climb, it is truly rewarding. At its highest point, the trail opens up into a clearing carved out from the mountain itself; it is a cathedral of spiraling stone columns blanketed in thick moss and flowering ivy, like a relic of old come to life before one’s very eyes. Here is where the deities of Novus receive worship and prayer from those loyal to them. It is said that, with enough fortune, some may even find themselves in the very presence of the gods.

These lands are reserved for worship, but are not restricted to it. Be wary of those who may approach with spiritual intent!

Branching off from Delumine’s Rapax River, Amare Creek is a land simply brimming with life. Its lush, green forests are alive with the sound of birdsong and the gentle babbling of water playing at stony banks. The creek itself is fed by a small waterfall that spills down one of plenty of rock ledges found in the rugged wood, sometimes creating a layer of mist that sits heavy over the surrounding thicket. Many come to admire the beauty of the area, but it is oftentimes love’s tender pull that brings horses here. Rightly so, as it almost seems as though the gods themselves crafted Amare Creek for that very purpose.

These lands are reserved for romantic encounters, but are not restricted to them. If you explore here, you may run into a few unsuspecting lovers!

Once a popular stop for large herds of migrating elk, the Bellum Steppe has become widely known for its more brutal meetings among those of Novus. At its centre is a rigid circle of down-trodden grass and dirt worn away from years of battle, creating something of a primitive arena for combatants that find themselves within its perimeter. The land itself is open and uncomplicated with ample space for maneuvers of all kind; however, warriors beware, for the ground underfoot is deceptive in its simplicity. While the elk have all but disappeared from the area, gophers and other small rodents thrive, leaving the plains littered by a network of burrows that threaten delicate ankles and those too reckless to respect their battlefield.

These lands are reserved to conflict and combat, but not restricted to them. If you stray too near, you may be attacked!

Harboured by the smaller cliffs of Veneror Peak, the Abigo Caves wind well below ground into an intricate system of caverns untouched by the light of the sun. Few stray from the great mouth of the cave - going much further is akin to seeking death itself unless one is properly equipped. The terrain is a maze of small, jagged rocks set loosely on sand that almost seems to consume the hooves of those that tread upon it. Many have perished within the caves, though their bones do not seem to ward off all wandering souls. In fact, it is the treacherous conditions of Abigo that attract Novus’ shadier faces, leaving many inhabitants quite keen to avoid its ominous existence.

These lands are reserved to stealth attempts, but not restricted to them. If you brave the depths, you may never see home again!

Vast is perhaps the best word to describe the sea of grass that is Eluetheria Plains. It is an idyllic setting for many factions of Novus, but some of its most notable inhabitants are the mighty herds of bison that fleck golden grasses with deep hues of brown. On the southern horizon, Veneror dominates the skies with wisps of cloud softening its sharp edges like a painting come to life. It’s easy to become lost in the beauty of such serenity, which is surely enough reason to justify the plains’ purpose as a land for all of Novus to share.

Carving into the southern edge of the continent are the animated shores of the Terminus Sea. The smell of salt and brine is heavy in the air and there is little else to be heard but the constant crashing of water upon sand. Very little dares to stand in the way of the mighty sea, but scattered in large corners of the coast are towers of ancient rock jutting out far beyond the shore. Only during low-tide may residents even think to attempt breaching their reach into neighbouring beaches, though success is never guaranteed; Terminus has claimed many lives since the conception of the kingdoms, making it one of the most effective borders in all of Novus.

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